The Baja California peninsula is a great place for getting off the grid and practicing social distancing. Here are some of our favorite activities for getting out and about while staying safely physically distanced from other people.
photo courtesy rosarito.travel
Hiking Around Rosarito
Location: Rosarito, BC
Why We Love It: Many people don’t know that there are plenty of hiking trails around Rosarito, although they are not always well marked. One of the most popular hikes in the area is Cerro El Coronel. The hike up the large hill is moderate and takes 5-7 hours so be sure to take plenty of drinking water and snacks. There are signs on the free road near Puerto Nuevo. There are also a few Facebook hiking groups in the region. Check out Achacosos Senderismo or Aventuras en la Baja or Baja Coast Hiking that all have organized hikes you can join (hikers are required to wear masks and stay socially distanced) for a small fee.
DBTC Insider Tip: For a more moderate walk in Rosarito, there are paths and trails around Parque Metropolitano, a large park located east of town. This is also a great place for families to spend the day as there are large green spaces, numerous picnic tables and grill areas, and playground equipment for children.
Kayaking in the Sea of Cortez
Location: From San Felipe down to La Paz
Why We Love It: There are so many beautiful spots to kayak in the Sea of Cortez. Start with the clear gentle bays of Bahía Concepción or have an adventure with the whale sharks in Bahía de los Ángeles. You can take your own kayak and launch from any beach, or larger towns and cities will have spots where you can rent kayaks for the day.
DBTC Insider Tip: For some inspiration, read all about Graham Mackintosh’s epic kayaking adventures in the Sea of Cortez.
Mountain Biking in Loreto
Location: Loreto, BCS
Why We Love It: There are lots of trails in the Loreto area for mountain biking and for hiking. The nearby lush Sierra de la Giganta mountains and the beautiful Sea of Cortez coastline, provide one of the most scenic backdrops along the peninsula for getting outside and getting your heart rate going. You can read more and learn about specific rides in the area in our article about mountain biking in Loreto.
DBTC Insider Tip: Trails are not always marked or publicized, but the book Hiking Loreto is a fantastic resource for numerous trails for mountain biking.
Snorkeling Cabo Pulmo
Location: Cabo Pulmo, East Cape, BCS
Why We Love It: There are lots of beaches in and around Cabo Pulmo where you can explore the coral reef and abundant sea life by snorkeling right from the shore. Since the 5,000-year old coral reef starts just a few feet from the beach, you get the opportunity to check out sea turtles, tropical fish, rays, moray eels, octopus, lobsters, and sea lions without having to head out on a boat. Los Arbolitos and Los Frailes are two beaches that are easy to access by car and where you can find great access to the coral reef.
DBTC Insider Tip: You’ll need to pay about US$2 in order to access Los Arbolitos beach, but it’s free to access Los Frailes, which is a few miles farther south. There are no services at Los Frailes but it’s also a good spot for dry camping if you are tent camping or have an RV.
Beach Hopping in Bahía Concepción
Location: Mulegé, BCS
Why We Love It: With multiple bays to discover with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, Bahía Concepción is a gorgeous place to go beach hopping. There are no hotels along the bay, but it’s a beautiful spot for camping or you could stay in Mulegé and spend the day along the bay. From beach combing or digging for clams to kayaking or snorkeling, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the bay.
DBTC Insider Tip: The beaches to the north of the Bay are more popular and have more activities going on while the beaches to the south are more remote with fewer crowds. At some of the popular beaches to the north of the bay such as Playa Santispac, you will have to pay a fee to the local ejido in order to access the beach for day use or to camp overnight.